Hospitality Leaders from Around the Nation Honored in Washington D.C.
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) announced the winners of the 2009 State Leadership Awards yesterday during the first day of the association's annual Legislative Action Summit (LAS). These awards, formerly known as the Most Valuable Volunteer Awards, were created in 1998 to honor standout volunteers who help implement and strengthen programs spearheaded by both AH&LA and its partner state associations.
'It's with much pride that we honor these individuals who've dedicated countless hours to improving both the local and national hospitality communities,' said AH&LA president/CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. 'Their drive and leadership strengthen the power and impact of our associations and make the industry better for both our employees and our guests.'
The awards were presented to the following:
. Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association:
Greg Bryan, General Manager, Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn - Grand Canyon, AZ
. Arkansas Hospitality Association:
Jed Bullock, Owner, Best Western Eureka Inn - Eureka Springs, AR
. California Hotel & Lodging Association
Jim Beazley, Owner, The Beazley House - Napa Valley, CA
. Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association
Navin Dimond, CEO, Stonebridge Companies - Englewood, CO
. Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association
John Weit, Area General Manager, Marriott Atlanta Airport - College Park, GA
. Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association
Robert Habeeb, President, First Hospitality Group - Rosemont, IL
. Iowa Lodging Association
Rick Funke, General Manager, Sheraton West Des Moines - Clive, IA
. Maryland Hotel & Lodging Association
Patrick Leary, General Manager, Fairfield Inn/Hospitality Partners - Bethesda, MD
. Montana Innkeepers Association
Sandra Johnson-Thares, CHA, General Manager/Co-Owner, O'Haire Motor Inn - Great Falls, MO
. New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association
John C. Tsunis, Chairman/CEO, Long Island Hotels LLC - Hauppauge, NY
. North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association
Sterling Webster, Partner and General Manager, Hilton Garden Inn - Kitty Hawk, NC
. Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association
John Williams, General Manager, Skirvin Hilton Hotel - Oklahoma City, OK
. Oregon Lodging Association
Jim Kinney, General Manager, Seventh Mountain Resort - Bend, OR
. Pennsylvania Tourism and Lodging Association
William D. Kohl, CHA, CFBE, President, Harrisburg Hotel Corporation - Harrisburg, PA
. Rhode Island Hospitality & Tourism Association
Mark Gervais, General Manager, The Hotel Viking - Newport, RI
. Tennessee Hospitality Association
Dee Lundy, Owner, Lundy and Associates - Knoxville, TN
. Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association
Chris Canavos, CHA, Owner, Country Inn & Suites - Williamsburg, VA
. Wisconsin Innkeepers Association
Mark Johnson, Vice President and General Manager, Best Western Milwaukee Airport Hotel & Conference Center - Milwaukee, WI
. Wyoming Lodging & Restaurant Association
Ken Patel, Owner, Comfort Inn Laramie - Laramie, WY
Award recipients are determined by AH&LA's partner state associations. For more details on each 2009 State Leadership Award winner, please visit the AH&LA Volunteer Webpage http://www.ahla.com/content.aspx?id=25022. For pictures of the award winners, please contact Jessica Soklow at (202) 289-3153 or at jsoklow@ahla.com.
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